‘I never have time for breakfast’ or ‘I can’t wake up early just so that I can eat before leaving for work’ are excuses that we all use sometimes. The truth is, breakfast is the most important meal of the day. Have you heard the quote ‘Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince, and dinner like a pauper’? This quote is a great way to remember what kind of nutrition your body needs at different times of the day. So, why should you eat breakfast like a king? Let’s find out!
What does Breakfast Mean?
Breakfast means the meal that “breaks the fast” and is the first meal that is taken after waking up from a night’s sleep. It is consumed early morning, before you start off with your daily routine.
Five Reasons Why Breakfast Is Important
Breakfast is important because after we wake up in the morning our bodies need to be nourished to replenish its energy stores. Without adequate energy, you won’t be able to tackle the day with a fresh and active mind and body. That is exactly why you need to kick-start the day with a well-balanced meal crammed with adequate protein, carbohydrates and fiber.
Sets Metabolism into Motion
A healthy breakfast activates your metabolism (the process of burning calories). The consumption of an early morning meal increases the metabolic rate, which means breakfast actually revs up your body for the day ahead. A wholesome breakfast can provides you with essential nutrients needed by your body after the night’s fast. Three to four hours after you eat, your metabolism slows down. If you skip breakfast and eat something during lunch hour, the fact that you have been hungry since last night forces you to eat more to compensate for your hunger pangs. With your metabolism exhausted from working in overdrive, chances are that you will pack on extra pounds which you don’t want. A slow metabolism is one of the causes of weight gain.
Cranks Up Your Energy Level
Regular breakfast eaters are more energetic throughout the day in comparison to those who skip breakfast. This meal helps you gain the vital nutrients your body needs to generate energy and function optimally.
Helps You Focus
Breakfast improves your concentration level and helps you stay focused on your tasks. Research has established that those who skip breakfast have difficulty concentrating and take more time in tasks that involve. All parts of your body, including the brain, are in short supply of essential nutrients when you wake up in the morning. Skipping breakfast forces your brain to work harder than usual which leads to poor concentration, slow understanding and a difficulty in getting things done. When you skip breakfast, your body continues to fast until you eat later in the day.
Uplifts Your Mood
Research suggests that breakfast eaters are less irritable as compared to those who skip breakfast. Hunger can cause mood swings and when your body is lacking its needed nutrition it can trigger feelings of frustration. With a well-balanced breakfast you can stay positive and happy throughout the day.
Helps You Stay in Shape
Experts share that non-breakfast eaters are 4.5 times more likely to suffer from obesity and obesity related medical problems compared to those who eat breakfast daily. A wholesome morning meal can help you lose weight, maintain your current weight, and reduce the desire to snack on fatty, sugary foods.
What Are Some Healthy Breakfast Options?
Remember that all of the benefits that we’ve discussed so far cannot be obtained by eating just anything you find in the kitchen. It’s about eating the right things. Since you now know why breakfast is so important for you, you need to decide how to make it into a nutritious and healthy meal. It is always better to go for natural foods because most on-the-go breakfast meals are processed and contain artificial ingredients. We suggest the following options for you to include in your morning meal:
- Low fat yogurt (Dahi) with fresh cut fruits.
- Cottage cheese with porridge
- Hardboiled egg(s) and brown bread
- Cereals with high fiber content
- Plain milk or fruit milkshakes
- Fresh fruit juices
While it will take a conscious effort to wake up earlier in the morning to eat a well-balanced breakfast meal, it will be worth it. Why don’t you give it a shot for a week or two? You will notice the improvement in your mood, energy levels, concentration and eating habits yourself!